deliberately controversial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deliberately controversial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is intentionally designed to provoke disagreement or debate. Example: "The author's latest article is deliberately controversial, aiming to spark discussion among readers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Opinion

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

What is meant by "deliberately controversial content" is misogyny, racism, deliberate lies, contempt for the poor and vulnerable, etc.

The Guardian

There have been hundreds of times when I've been deliberately controversial as a teacher.

The Guardian

You quote their definition of another new word, "alt-right", characterised by the "use of social media to disseminate deliberately controversial content".

The Guardian

Greer intended the book's celebration of younger men to be deliberately controversial and demolish one of the "last great western taboos".

The Guardian - Opinion

The deliberately controversial nature of the theme is designed to open up the discussion to people who perhaps had not considered the future of church buildings.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr Morgan has a history of being deliberately controversial on Twitter, including insisting that cricket player Chris Gayle did nothing wrong by asking out a female reporter live on air while she tried to interview him.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Do you ever deliberately include controversial scenes when writing for children to shock or provoke a strong response from the reader?

The Guardian

Twenty-eight percent of Americans admit to participating in "malicious online activity directed at somebody they didn't know," according to an online survey of 1,125 adults by YouGov -- including making fun of a stranger or deliberately making controversial or inflammatory statements meant to annoy strangers.

Huffington Post

Deliberately provocative and controversial and whenever I sit down and watch it I always laugh".

The Guardian

We focus on how we are educating our undergraduates and deliberately adopt a controversial stand.

Computers & Chemical Engineering

In a new book, "Resistance: the Essence of the Islamist Revolution," he deliberately avoids the most controversial subjects, like Israel and the status of women in the Islamic world.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "deliberately controversial", ensure the context clearly indicates the intent behind the controversial nature. This avoids misinterpretations and strengthens the message.

Common error

Avoid using "deliberately controversial" when the subject is only mildly debatable. Reserve it for situations where the intent to provoke a strong reaction is evident.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deliberately controversial" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to indicate that something is intentionally designed to provoke disagreement or debate. As Ludwig AI confirms, this usage is grammatically correct and commonly encountered.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Opinion

16%

Books

16%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "deliberately controversial" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that indicates an intentional effort to provoke disagreement or debate. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the contexts of usage are varied, but most frequently encountered in News & Media, Opinion and Books. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clearly supports the claim of intentional controversy to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "intentionally provocative" or "purposely contentious" can be considered for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intentionally provocative

Emphasizes the intent to provoke a reaction.

purposely contentious

Highlights the aim to create contention or argument.

calculatedly inflammatory

Focuses on a planned and strategic approach to causing strong emotions.

designed to provoke

Highlights the planning and intent behind the action.

intentionally divisive

Focuses on the aim to create division or disagreement.

consciously provocative

Highlights the awareness and intent behind the action.

knowingly contentious

Emphasizes the awareness of the likelihood of causing disagreement.

meant to stir debate

Focuses on the intention to initiate a discussion or argument.

with the intention of creating controversy

Explicitly states the intention to generate controversy.

expressly disputatious

Highlights the open and direct nature of the contentiousness.

FAQs

How can I use "deliberately controversial" in a sentence?

You can use "deliberately controversial" to describe actions, statements, or content intended to provoke disagreement or debate. For example, "The author's latest book is "deliberately controversial" to spark discussion among readers."

What are some alternatives to "deliberately controversial"?

Some alternatives include "intentionally provocative", "purposely contentious", or "calculatedly inflammatory", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always negative to be "deliberately controversial"?

Not necessarily. While it can imply a desire to provoke or upset, being "deliberately controversial" can also be a strategy to challenge the status quo or stimulate important conversations.

What's the difference between "controversial" and "deliberately controversial"?

"Controversial" simply means something is subject to disagreement. "Deliberately controversial" adds the element of intent, indicating that the controversy was intentional or planned.